Anger Management

What is anger?

Anger is a normal human emotion! Anger is often misunderstood as a primarily negative emotion that results in aggressive or unhealthy behavior. However, anger can be positive in many ways! Anger can be:

Natural

Protective

Motivating

Self-preserving

Energizing

When is anger a problem?

Anger becomes unhealthy when it interferes with your daily life or relationships. Your anger may be a problem if you:

Feel out of control when you are angry

Fear your behavior when you are angry

Physically attack someone when you are angry

Use alcohol or drugs to manage your anger

Feel angry or aggressive when you drink alcohol or use drugs

Recently lost a relationship because of your anger

Have ever faced legal problems because of your anger

Struggle to concentrate because of your anger

How can counseling help me with my anger?

Anger is a basic human emotion. Our expression of emotions is influenced by many factors, such as our family, ethnicity, culture, religious beliefs, gender, social status, and social expectations. We learn about anger through these relationships and experiences. This is where we begin in helping you understand your anger.

Exploring your anger can be difficult, because anger sometimes covers other more vulnerable emotions, such as hurt, rejection, or sadness. It is important to recognize the connections between your anger and other issues. These include trauma, alcohol use, substance use, aggression, grief, sexual assault, rape, depression, eating disorders, thoughts of suicide, and/ or anxiety. Counseling can help you uncover these deeper emotions and begin to understand how your anger can serve as a signal for unmet needs.

If you think you may have a problem with your anger, register for an initial appointment with the Texas A&M Student Counseling service. Our trained counselors will assess your concerns and make recommendations regarding how to best meet your needs for treatment.

What will I learn in counseling?

Anger management counseling is designed to help you understand your:

Anger triggers

Anger pattern

Anger purpose

You may learn healthy relationship skills that will help you:

Communicate effectively

Set healthy boundaries

Feel empathy for others

Have realistic expectations of others

Forgive others

Counseling may also help you develop coping skills such as:

Recognition and expression of needs

Emotional and physical self-care

Use of emotional retreats

Stress and anxiety management

Biofeedback

Treatment Options

The Texas A&M Student Counseling Service does not offer anger management in order to fulfill legal requirements and we do not accept court mandated referrals. However, we do offer several options for treatment. During semesters in which the level of interest and need allows, anger management groups may be offered. These groups will focus on anger management skill development and usually meet for 8-10 weeks. Individual counseling for anger management is also offered. Finally, anger management workshops are offered on a regular basis. To explore what treatment style best suits your needs, please schedule an initial appointment with the Texas A&M Student Counseling service. Our trained counselors will assess your concerns and make recommendations regarding how to best meet your needs for treatment.